CDBG Advisory Committee

East Conference Room – 903 W. Main Street – City Hall CDBG ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA Thursday, December 15, 2016 - 6:00 p.m. Committee Members please call 228-0207 if unable to attend 1 CALL TO ORDER  Minutes – September 27, 2016 2 PUBLIC HEARING / CAPER  Review and discuss draft CAPER (Consolidated Annual Performance & Evaluation Report) for submission to HUD on or before December 30, 2016. 3 OTHER BUSINESS 4 ADJOURN If special accommodations are required for citizen participation in this meeting, PLEASE CALL 228-0207 (VOICE) OR 228-0250 (TDD) 12.15.2016 CDBG Page 1 of 1 mw-kf  City of Blue Springs 903 Main Blue Springs, Missouri 64015 CDBG ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Tuesday, September 27, 2016 A regular meeting of the CDBG Advisory Commission of the City of Blue Springs was held at City Hall in the east conference room located at 903 W Main Street on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 with the following members, guests and staff in attendance: VOTING MEMBERS Mitchell Peil, Planning Commission Susan Culpepper, City Council PRESENT Yvonne Woods, DRB Cindy Miller, Chairman STAFF Scott Allen, Community Development Matt Wright, Community Development Aliyah Mihalko, Community Dev. Karen Findora, Recording Secretary MEMBERS ABSENT Councilman Jeff Quibell Councilman Chris Lievsay Chris Sandie, Public Works Dennis Dovel, Parks CALL TO ORDER Chairman Cindy Miller called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Chairman Miller requested action on the June 21, 2016 meeting minutes. Committee Member Mitchell Peil made a motion to approve the minutes, a second from Councilman Susan Culpepper, and a unanimous vote, the Minutes for June 21, 2016, were approved as submitted. AGENDA ITEM 2 Matt Wright, Senior Planner, went over the recommended strategies and ASSESTMENT OF FAIR goals for the Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH). There were two public HOUSING – Discuss goals meetings held, one on July 20th and one on August 24th. Three individuals and strategies participated in the August 24th meeting, a representative from the school district, one representative from the Salvation Army, and an interested citizen. They did provide quite a bit of feedback that led to some of the goals and strategies that are being presented. Kansas City, MO has approved their AFH and staff will take this recommendation to City Council on Monday, October 17th. Everything will be due back to HUD on or before November 3rd. CDBG Minutes – 09.27.2016 Page 1 of 4 kf  Mr. Wright went through the goals and responsibility of the program.  Support the Minor Home Repair needs of low-income and elderly residents by increasing funds so more homes can be fixed through the Minor Home Repair Program. (MHRP) 12 Minor Home Repair Applications have been accepted. Applicants can reapply each year. Its $5,000 per year per applicant and some of the applicants don’t use the entire $5,000. The program runs on a first come first serve bases.  Review property maintenance codes and identify resources, such as technical assistance, volunteer services, and possible grants that low-income older adult’s homeowners can use to avoid property code violations. Staff does encourage residents with low income and older adults to take advantage of the Minor Home Repair Program.  Review local zoning codes to encourage the construction of accessible units in transit-oriented developments and to allow for a broader range of affordable housing options for older adults, including accessory dwellings and co-housing. Transit-oriented development is generally the type of higher density developments located along a transit route. Staff may be able to re-phase this due to the fact that the City doesn’t offer a transit route. Instead of transit-oriented, the City could look at development along major corridors and mid to high density locations encouraging the construction of accessible units in places that are more walkable. The Whole Person would like to see Cities encourage developers to provide more accessible units within their developments. Currently developers are only required to meet the minimum ADA requirements which is 3-5% of total units. The Whole Person doesn’t see that as filling the need that exists. Staff met with representatives from The Whole Person, and informed them that City staff will encourage the developers, but can’t mandate them to install more units than what’s required by the ADA. The Whole Person understood that. They did request that staff to provide on an annual basis an update if any new accessible units came on line that year. That way when they meet with individuals with disabilities that are looking for housing in Blue Springs they can provide a listing of those homes. Mr. Wright stated that one thing staff is looking at through the Minor Home Repair program is including ADA retro- fits to existing family homes to help seniors remain in their homes.  The community should expand literacy programs to help adults who have not completed a high school education to achieve a diploma. Mr. Wright stated that there is a higher economic benefit of having more individuals in a community with higher education. Currently 5.9% of Blue Springs residents over the age of 24 have not completed a high school education. The School District and the Department of Education oversee this. Mr. Wright stated that MARC is working with the Kauffman Foundation on a new program called KC Degrees. This will help people in the Metro area that CDBG Minutes – 09.27.2016 Page 2 of 4 kf  didn’t complete their college degree, but had started college to return and finish. There is a pilot area for the program in Blue Springs (south of I-70, north of Moreland School Road). Currently there are 9,550 residents over the age of 24 that have some college, but no degree in the Blue Springs area. Another beneficial program called KC Rising, works with schools and guides individuals to certain career fields that have a lot of job openings in the market. 80% of the job openings in Kansas City require some sort of college education and only 35% of residents actually meet those requirements. The goal is to get individuals trained in the career fields to fill those job openings. Mr. Wright stated that according to the 2014 Census, 37.4% of residents over the age of 24 have at least an Associate’s degree or higher. The metric he added was to increase that to 40% by 2022. Mr. Wright stated that he felt the City would be available to track these measurements and provide input and data to organizations if they need it. Mr. Wright stated that he will speak with MARC and HUD and find out how the City should proceed with this goal.  Work with employers on promoting education programs that help residents increase their skills and career potential, with the potential for employers to offer tuition benefits to employees and on the job training opportunities. Assist adults who started college but never completed a credential or degree to return and finish.  Support high quality early education, such as preschool education for all families (universal pre-K), to meet the needs of all young children and their families.  Encourage low-moderate income residents to take advantage of the First Time Home Buyers (FTHB) program which provides up to $3,000 in financial assistance and homeownership education. Mr. Wright stated that there is a course built in to the FTHB program so that before the buyer closes on a home the buyer has to go through the educational course. The course is provided by First Mortgage Solutions. They teach budgeting, maintaining your credit, insurance etc. MOTION Committee Member Mitchell Peil recommended the approval of the AGENDA ITEM 2 Assessment of Fair Housing Plan Proposed Goals and Strategies ASSESTMENT OF FAIR presentation be presented to the City Council once the phraseology for this HOUSING – Discuss goals presentation has been defined correctly from reasonable to probable and strategies participants, or some other definitive other than responsible. SECOND Committee Member Yvonne Woods. VOTE Mitchell Peil – Aye Chris Lievsay – Absent Susan Culpepper - Aye Yvonne Woods - Aye Cindy Miller, Chairman – Aye Jeff Quibell – Absent (APPROVED 4-Aye, 0-No) CDBG Minutes – 09.27.2016 Page 3 of 4 kf OTHER BUSINESS  Review of Minor Mr. Wright provided a summary of the Minor Home Program to the Home Repair Committee. There have been 53 unique households, 62 total households, Program data some of those households have been approved more than once. 33% was made up of single individuals, the average household size was a little over two persons. Less than half of all households receiving assistance did have children. The average household income was $27,000, the lowest income was $2,700 and the highest was a little over $55,000. Most individuals fall into the $20,000 to $40,000 range. More than 71% were white and 13% were African American. Most of the recipients were over the age of 55, and 37% were over the age of 65. A lot of the applicants are widowed or single females over the age of 65. The average age overall was 54 with the age range from 25 to 93. The majority of homes were built in 1970 – 1979 that were recipients. That coincides with the largest building boom in Blue Springs history. Out of 62 applications the most common repairs were; walls, trim, siding, vinyl siding, windows, glass, paint, porch, steps and railings. Rare submittals were foundation work and roofing.  Vote on Vice Committee Member Yvonne Woods nominated Committee Member Chairman Mitchell Peil as Vice Chairman for the CDBG Committee. SECOND Seconded by Councilman Susan Culpepper. VOTE Mitchell Peil – Aye Chris Lievsay – Absent Susan Culpepper - Aye Yvonne Woods - Aye Cindy Miller, Chairman – Aye Jeff Quibell – Absent (APPROVED 4-Aye, 0-No) MEETING ADJOURN With no further discussion, a motion was made by Committee Member Yvonne Woods to adjourn at 7:00 p.m. Seconded by Committee Member Mitchell Peil. _________________________ Respectfully Submitted by, Karen Findora, Recording Secretary ____________________________________ __________________________ Cindy Miller, Chairman Date CDBG Minutes – 09.27.2016 Page 4 of 4 kf  Public Notice City of Blue Springs, Missouri Community Development Block Grant Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) The City of Blue Springs has published the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the 2015-2016 fiscal/program year for public review and comment. Each jurisdiction that has an approved Consolidated Plan shall annually review and report on the progress it has made in carrying out the Consolidated Plan and the Annual Action Plan. The CAPER describes the specific Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) activities undertaken during the fiscal program year, including activities related to housing, homelessness, and community and economic development needs and resources. The purpose of this Notice is to inform the public that the City’s Draft CAPER is available for review and comment. Public comments will be accepted beginning Monday, November 21, 2016 and accepted through a public hearing on December 15, 2016. The City shall consider the views of citizens, public agencies, and other interested parties in preparing its final submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A summary of public comments will be attached to the CAPER. The CAPER is due to HUD on or before Friday, December 30, 2016. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Advisory Committee will hold a public hearing on Thursday, December 15, 2016. The public comment period will be closed when the public hearing is closed. The Committee shall consider the views of citizens, public agencies and other interested parties in preparing its final submission and attach a summary of such comments as they relate to the CAPER. CDBG Advisory Committee Thursday, December 15, 2016 6:00 PM City Hall – East Conference Room 903 W. Main Street, Blue Springs, MO Beginning Monday, November 21, 2016, any interested parties may examine a draft of the CAPER at the Community Development Department or on the City of Blue Springs website at http://www.bluespringsgov.com/202/Community-Development-Block-Grant- CDBG. Written comments may be submitted to the City of Blue Springs Community Development Department, Attn: Community Development Director, 903 West Main Street, Blue Springs, MO 64015. For more information about the CAPER, contact the Community Development Department at 816-228-0207. Publish: Saturday, November 19, 2016 E-mail to The Examiner 11/17/16  2015-2016 CDBG Consolidated Annual Performance & Evaluation Report City of Blue Springs – 2015-2016 CAPER Table of Contents Executive Summary ...................................................................................... 2 Assessment of the 2011-2016 Consolidated Plan ......................................... 3 Exhibit 1: LMI Census Tracts/Block Groups .................................................. 5 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing .......................................................... 5 Affordable Housing....................................................................................... 7 Continuum of Care ....................................................................................... 7 Exhibit 2: Blue Springs School District – Homeless Student Population ............ 7 Exhibit 3: 2016 Point In Time Survey ......................................................... 8 Exhibit 4: Trends in Homeless Persons Population ........................................ 9 Other Actions ............................................................................................... 9 Leveraging Resources ................................................................................ 10 Public Comments........................................................................................ 10 Self-Evaluation ........................................................................................... 10 2015-2016 One Year Action Strategy & Financial Summary ....................... 10 Exhibit 5: 2015-2016 One Year Action Strategy ..........................................10 Exhibit 6: 2015-2016 Financial Summary ...................................................11 1 City of Blue Springs – 2015-2016 CAPER City of Blue Springs Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) 2015-2016 NOTE: Items highlighted in yellow will be updated with the final draft submitted to HUD. Final data and comments for these items will not be available until late December. Executive Summary The City was granted a total of $217,802 of entitlement funds through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for the 2015-2016 program year by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The City expended $140,202.66 of CDBG funds in the 2015-2016 program year, which is approximately 64.4% of the grant amount. Funded projects included the Minor Home Repair Program, the First Time Home Buyers program, the Downtown Façade Improvement Grant program, public service funds for Downtown Alive, Slum & Blight Acquisition and Demolition, and program administration, which included the development of the 2017- 2021 Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH). The City continues to address affordable housing needs through the Minor Home Repair Program and the First Time Home Buyers program. During the 2015-2016 program year 12 homeowners utilized CDBG funds to make needed exterior repairs to their homes. Funds assisted 10 new homeowners on the purchase of their first home. Funding was granted for two (2) Downtown Façade Improvement Grants. The first façade grant was for a new cupcake shop (Simply Frosted) that moved to Downtown Blue Springs in 2015. Simply Frosted received $1,436 to install a new awning along Main Street. Since moving to Downtown from a retail strip center on 7 Highway, Simply Frosted has had to hire additional employees to keep up with their significant increase in sales. The second façade grant was for 1121 W. Main Street/1120 NW Oak Street which provided $1,761 to install a new garage door along NW Oak Street. Once the garage door was installed a new coffee shop, Middle Ground Coffee, opened in May in the space. Middle Ground Coffee is a new business to Blue Springs that provided new jobs to the downtown area. The City continues to provide public service funds to Downtown Alive, a public service organization that brings together downtown merchants, property owners, residents, and partners (including the City, Economic Development Corporation, Chamber of Commerce, and Historical Society) to strengthen the economic base of the downtown area. In 2015, the Missouri Main Street Connection awarded Downtown Alive with the Streetscape & Public Improvement Project Award. Downtown Alive received the award for continued improvements to Downtown Blue Springs, including the addition of bicycle racks, trash and recycling receptacles, light pole banners, and art installations through private donors. Downtown Alive works to attract new economic and employment opportunities to Downtown, as well as assists current businesses on potential expansions, supporting the Downtown Façade Improvement Grant program, and guiding small business owners through the permitting and licensing process. The organization also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, which provides activities within walking distance to the surrounding neighborhoods. 2 City of Blue Springs – 2015-2016 CAPER The 2015-2016 program year was the first time the City of Blue Springs has utilized CDBG funds for a slum and blight activity. The City acquired a former house turned beauty salon that had been vacant for nearly a decade. The building, located at 809 W. Main Street is along an important stretch of Main Street that serves as a gateway into the center of Downtown. The building tested positive for asbestos, which will be removed prior to demolition. The City plans to use the property for a use that meets a low-moderate income benefit objective and/or an economic development project. The property was purchased for $21,778. An environmental inspection was completed for $773. Asbestos remediation was completed for $10,676. The building will be demolished by City crews. The City utilized $9,232 in program administration during the program year. Of the total, $7,000 was used to prepare the Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH) with the Mid- America Regional Council (MARC) serving as the consultant, and $2,232 was used for public notices, lien/promissory note notices and releases, etc. A summary of program year financials start on page 10. Assessment of the 2011-2016 Consolidated Plan The 2011-2016 Consolidated Plan (extended through 2017 to coincide with the effective date of the 2017-2021 Assessment of Fair Housing) for the City of Blue Springs focuses on downtown street, parks and recreation and infrastructure improvements in the five Census tracts identified by HUD as home to the highest population of low-moderate income persons. These areas include four Census tracts generally located south of Interstate 70 including the Downtown core of Blue Springs, east to Highway 7, south to the railroad tracks and west to Woods Chapel Road. There is also a low-mod area in the farthest northeast portion of the City north of I-70 extending north to E. Pink Hill Road and west including neighborhoods adjacent to Adams Dairy Parkway. The 2011-2016 Consolidated Plan analyzed the City’s housing needs and resident preferences and developed a plan which prioritized where resources should be invested. The Plan is driven by five major goals. The goals and objectives are the result of a wide range of citizen input through task forces, surveys and planning workshops. The five priorities were identified as follows: Goal 1: Redevelop Downtown Blue Springs. Promote Downtown Blue Springs’ Potential for Growth Objectives:  Improve infrastructure and attract new business investment.  Promote high density housing Downtown to create activity.  Study opportunities for public gathering places in the Downtown. Of the 7 projects included in the Annual Action Plan, 5 of them are specific to Goal 1. The City provided funds to Downtown Alive (Downtown Blue Springs Main Street, Inc.), an active non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization of Downtown Blue Springs. Downtown Alive members include stakeholders consisting of downtown merchants, City and Economic Development Corporation staff, Chamber of Commerce, Blue Springs Business Association, Historical Society, and downtown residents. 3 City of Blue Springs – 2015-2016 CAPER The City provided two categories of funds for the Downtown Façade Improvement Grant Program. The first category is for activities that meet the Low/Mod Area objective. The second category is for activities that meet the Slum/Blight objective. The two (2) projects that received funds were applicable under the Low/Mod Area objective as they were for businesses that provide additional commercial services and employment opportunities for area residents, including a cupcake shop and a coffee shop. For the first time, the City utilized Slum & Blight property acquisition and demolition to purchase and demolish a blighted property along Main Street. The property will be redeveloped with a use that meets a low-moderate income benefit objective or an economic development project. An Environmental Assessment was completed prior to purchase and demolition. The Assessment was based on a change of use from “commercial” to “open space,” as that was the most immediate use after the proposed demolition. A new Assessment may be needed in the future if the use changes. The final project was a proposed sidewalk improvement project for NW Summit Street. However, due to a reduction in funding to complete the Assessment of Fair Housing, this project will be postponed to a later date. Goal 2: Promote Housing Diversity. Diversify the Blue Springs Housing Market Objectives:  Promote high density development in order to accommodate housing diversity.  Promote a variety of housing development satisfying various income brackets.  Adopt and amend housing development standards to offset the perception that higher density housing must be lower quality.  Address the needs of the elderly by providing a wider range of elderly housing in environments that are conducive to their lifestyle and needs. City staff continues to utilize the Downtown Development Code (DDC) to encourage affordable infill housing and redevelopment within the Downtown Zoning District. The Downtown Review Board is responsible for reviewing all new developments within the Downtown Zoning District. A remodel of the 59-unit Friendship Manor (low-income senior housing) was approved. Other units added include one (1) new single-family house on an infill lot and a new loft apartment over an existing Downtown business. There has been additional interest in other infill developments for single-family, multi- family, and mixed-use, but those are all in the preliminary planning phase. Goal 3: Maintain Existing Housing and Infill Housing Objectives:  Promote stabilization of neighborhoods to encourage home investment and maintenance.  Promote infill housing development to maximize existing infrastructure and encouraging reinvestment. The City provided funds to both the First Time Home Buyers (FTHB) program and the Minor Home Repair Program (MHRP). Funding was available for 13 FTHB applicants and 12 MHRP applicants. Both programs continue to be successful and applicants are well dispersed throughout the community. The FTHB program allows low-moderate income homebuyers to purchase a home in the neighborhood of their choice. The MHRP allows low-moderate income homeowners to remain in their homes and make needed improvements. 4 City of Blue Springs – 2015-2016 CAPER Goal 4: Provide Park Improvements Objectives:  Promote stabilization of neighborhoods through park facility reinvestment and maintenance. There were no activities specific to parks improvements during the program year. Goal 5: Provide support to public service agencies that benefit low-income persons Objectives:  Provide funding to social service agencies to support their effort to stabilize low-income persons and to provide a solid foundation for them to build a solid life. Public service funds were provided to the Downtown Alive organization to assist in their mission of Downtown revitalization. Exhibit 1: LMI Census Tracts/Block Groups The newest data on Low/Mod Income areas was released on July 1, 2014. In the future these census tract and a more focused ”Service Area” process will be used to identify Area Benefit projects. Census Block Groups in orange (141.01.1 & 141.14.3) have 50% or higher Low/Mod Income populations. The yellow Census Block Groups have greater than 40%. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing The City of Blue Springs collaborated with the Cities of Kansas City, MO; Kansas City, KS; Independence, MO; and Leavenworth, KS to complete a regional Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH) in the fall of 2016. The communities worked with the Mid-America 5 City of Blue Springs – 2015-2016 CAPER Regional Council (MARC) to complete the AFH. The AFH analyzed a variety of data from various sources, as well as input from the public gathered at over 20 public meetings held throughout the region, including 2 meetings held in Blue Springs. Based on the data and public input, each community individually developed a specific list of local goals and all communities together developed a list of regional goals. The regional AFH will go into effect in 2017 in conjunction with the next Consolidated Plan. The City participated in a Regional Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice in 2011. The following actions were identified to ensure fair housing in Blue Springs:  The City is supportive of the right of any individual to be able to reside in, to buy or to rent in the neighborhood of their choice, and for which they are financially qualified. The City proposes a Fair Housing Resolution in April of every year, in honor of Fair Housing Month, declaring to our citizens the City’s commitment to the spirit and intent of Fair Housing laws.  The City will continue to enforce building codes adopted by the City requiring inclusion of accessible units for certain new construction and remodeling projects.  If appropriate, the City will support housing developers’ applications for Low Income Housing Tax Credits from the State of Missouri.  A portion of the City’s website has been updated to provide contract information for the Missouri Commission on Human Rights.  The City is participating with other entitlement communities in a regional committee to analyze and implement the KC Regional AI.  The use of the City’s entitlement of Community Development Block Grant funds for the Minor Home Repair Program and First Time Home Buyer program is intended to upgrade the City’s aging housing stock and to provide an incentive for new homeowners to live in our City. Both programs are intended to remove impediments and provide low income citizens a better opportunity for fair housing in Blue Springs. The City’s website provides contact information for the Missouri Commission on Human Rights. Individuals that believe that they have been discriminated against in access to housing are encouraged to contact the Missouri Commission on Human Rights. In 2014, the City created a Human Relations Commission (HRC) to foster the improvement of human relations among and between citizens of all cultural backgrounds, so as to provide all individuals with an equitable opportunity to grow and participate to the best of their ability in economic, educational, political, and social systems. The HRC was created to enhance the ability to educate and respond to concerns that may be expressed related to gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or disability. The HRC is comprised of seven (7) community leaders from diverse backgrounds appointed by the Mayor and the City Council. Two (2) students from the Blue Springs School District also serve on the committee. The City continues to utilize CDBG funds to fund the First Time Home Buyer and Minor Home Repair programs. Due to the continued success of these programs and the City’s aging housing stock, these programs will continue to be maintained at current funding levels with opportunities for expansion in the future. 6 City of Blue Springs – 2015-2016 CAPER Affordable Housing The City continues to address affordable housing needs through the First Time Home Buyer and the Minor Home Repair programs. Both programs provide homeownership options for low-moderate income residents. In 2016, City staff compiled data on all recipients of the programs since 2009. The average household income of First Time Home Buyer recipients was $34,446. The average household income of Minor Home Repair Program recipients was $27,370. For both programs, a majority of recipients had a household income between $20,000 and $40,000. The median income for the Kansas City, MO-KS metropolitan area is $72,800 for a family of 4. Continuum of Care The City partners with several organizations on addressing homeless needs in Blue Springs. Blue Springs is fortunate to have the Community Services League (CSL) present in the community. The CSL provides much needed goods and services to households in severe need, especially those that are at risk of becoming homeless or may be in temporary housing. The CSL can also direct individuals to other organizations that may be better able to address their needs. The CSL partners with the Blue Springs Police Department on providing emergency supplies backpacks to homeless persons in the community. The Blue Springs School District maintains statistics for homeless students. The School District has an assistant superintendent that serves as the District’s Homeless Coordinator. The District ensures that all homeless students have transportation to and from school. Exhibit 2: Blue Springs School District – Homeless Student Population Homeless Students by School Year 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2009‐2010 2010‐2011 2011‐2012 2012‐2013 2013‐2014 2014‐2015 2015‐2016 The homeless student population in the Blue Springs School District decreased sharply during the 2015-16 school year, down from 72 students to 31 students. The decrease can be attributed to improving economic conditions and the School District’s and public service agencies consistent effort to identify and provide services to homeless students and their families. The homeless needs in Blue Springs are addressed through the Kansas City/Jackson County, Missouri's Continuum of Care (CoC). The CoC is coordinated by the Homeless Services Coalition of Greater Kansas City whose mission is to "bring together organizations and individuals dedicated to creating opportunities for 7 City of Blue Springs – 2015-2016 CAPER compassionate community responses to homelessness." This collaborative effort, supported by more than 60 diverse organizations, is committed to creating and maintaining a continuum of care that responds to the complex needs of homeless individuals and families. The Homeless Services Coalition of Greater Kansas City (HSC) is committed to community networking and coalition building. Service providers, consumers, community leaders, government agencies and others in the Greater Kansas City metro area have come together, under the central umbrella of the Homeless Services Coalition, to help eradicate homelessness in the community. HSC was formed to address the concerns and interests of the homeless community, service providers, and their consumers and supporters. The homeless services coalition funding for 2015 was approximately 11.4 million dollars and covers 42 programs in Jackson County, including Blue Springs. The Homeless Services Coalition of Greater Kansas City (HSC) conducted a 24 hour point in time census in Jackson County on January 27, 2016. The survey found in Jackson County there were 1,452 total individuals that are considered homeless, roughly the same as in 2015 when 1,446 individuals were counted, but down significantly from a January 2011 high of 2,789. These figures represent the number of people living on the streets who were interacting with street outreach workers or those receiving or requesting shelter or housing on January 27, 2016. Exhibit 3: 2016 Point In Time Survey Emergency Transitional Safe Unsheltered Total Shelters Housing Haven # of households 649 311 14 158 1,132 # of children (under 18) 144 155 n/a 30 329 # of persons (18-24) 43 41 0 28 112 # of person (over 24) 607 264 14 126 1,011 Total # of persons 794 460 14 184 1,452 A majority of homeless persons were counted in emergency shelters, which are generally better utilized in the winter months to take shelter from winter weather and cold. Of the total number of homeless persons, approximately 22.6% are children under the age of 18. Less than 8% of the total were persons between the ages of 18 and 24, which is a critical group as this subgroup may consist of young adults who have aged out of the foster system. Approximately 50% of homeless persons counted suffer from chronic substance abuse, 40% are victims of domestic violence, 38% have a severe mental illness, and 11.7% are veterans. Less than a quarter of homeless persons are classified as chronically homeless, which as defined by HUD as either an unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition who has been continuously homeless for a year or more, or an unaccompanied individual with a disabling condition who has had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years. 8 City of Blue Springs – 2015-2016 CAPER Exhibit 4: Trends in Homeless Persons Population Number of Homeless Persons 2,789 2,479 2,329 1,938 1,931 1,446 1,452 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 After a significant growth in the number of homeless persons between 2010 and 2011, the number of homeless persons counted has declined steadily. The number of homeless persons counted between 2015 and 2016 remained steady at around 1,450 persons. The decline in the number of homeless persons could be attributed to several factors, including: improving economic conditions as the decade has progressed, additional public and non-profit organizations identifying homeless persons and providing services to meet their needs, and working towards homelessness prevention by identifying at risk individuals and groups before they become homeless. Other Actions One of the lead entities offering transitional living or transitional housing is The Community Services League (CSL). The CSL is headquartered in nearby Independence, Missouri and provides services to persons in Blue Springs from a satellite office at 200 SW 10th Street in downtown Blue Springs. The CSL provides a broad spectrum of services to meet the immediate and long term needs of the community. Services include Emergency Assistance, Housing Counseling, and Work Express. The CSL obtains funds from Missouri Housing Trust Fund, Jackson County Housing Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Administration. Funds are used to provide rent/mortgage and deposit assistance and in most cases only pay a portion with the applicant paying a portion depending upon their circumstances. The following is a summary of the Emergency Assistance that CSL provided to Blue Springs residents in 2015: Individuals Served 1,683 (including 701 children and 131 seniors) Households Served 612 Food Assistance: $54,529 Housing Assistance: $8,127 (25 households) 9 City of Blue Springs – 2015-2016 CAPER Utility Assistance: $17,408 (125 households) Health/Medical Assistance: $18,660 (including eye exams, hearing aids, glasses, dental services, and prescriptions) The City continues to take steps to evaluate and reduce lead-based paint hazards. Lead-based paint hazard brochures were distributed to all First Time Home Buyer and Minor Home Repair Program applicants with houses built before 1978. A lead-based paint inspection is required for all First Time Home Buyer applicants who are purchasing a home built before 1978. Any Minor Home Repair Program applicants with a house built before 1978 is required to sign and return a Lead Safe Acknowledgement. The selected contractor must perform a lead-based paint inspection for disturbed surfaces and remediate any disturbed surfaces that contain lead-based paint. Leveraging Resources The City continues to leverage funds from the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for infrastructure projects in designated low-moderate income census tracts and throughout Blue Springs. Public Comments The CAPER was posted on the City’s website and available at City Hall for public review. Summary of comments received will be added to the final document. Self-Evaluation The City continues to refine processes to ensure timeliness deadlines are met in accordance with Federal regulations. The City also evaluates existing projects and programs to determine the impact on the community and is also exploring introducing new programs to better utilize CDBG funds. There were some projects in which no funding was expended during the program year. It is likely that an amendment to the 2016-17 Annual Action Plan will be needed to reprogram funds to meet timeliness in August 2017. 2015-2016 One Year Action Strategy & Financial Summary Exhibit 5: 2015-2016 One Year Action Strategy PROJECTS HUD Planned Internal Code Funding project # Public Facilities Improvements - Sidewalks LMA Summit Street Sidewalks 03L $15,000 CDBG-15-03 Low/Moderate Income Housing Improvements LMH Minor Home Repair Program 14A $60,000 CDBG-15-01 LMH First Time Home Buyers Program 13 $39,000 CDBG-15-02 Building Rehab LMA Downtown Façade Grant Program 14E $10,000 CDBG-15-04 10 City of Blue Springs – 2015-2016 CAPER Building Rehab S/B Downtown Façade Grant Program 14E $10,000 CDBG-15-08 Public Services LMA Downtown Alive 05 $10,000 CDBG-15-05 Slum/Blight Removal S/B Property Acquisition/Demolition 04 $48,802 CDBG-15-06 General Program Administration Administration 21A $25,000 CDBG-15-07 TOTAL $217,802 Exhibit 6: 2015-2016 Financial Summary Project Funded Expended In Process Remaining Amount Amount Amount Balance Summit Street Sidewalks $15,000 $0 $0 $15,000 Minor Home Repair Program $60,000 $28,300.63 $27,427.25* $4,272.12* First Time Home Buyers $39,000 $28,820 $0 $10,180 Program Downtown Façade Grant $10,000 $3,197 $0 $6,803 Program (LMA) Downtown Façade Grant $10,000 $0 $0 $10,000 Program (S/B) Downtown Alive $10,000 $10,000 $0 $0 Property Acquisition/Demolition $48,802 $22,550.22 $10,675.95* $15,575.83* Administration $25,000 $1,796.61 $7,435* $15,768.39* Total: $217,802 $94,664.46 $45,538.20* $77,599.34* *Final amounts will be calculated when remaining projects have been completed. Totals will be provided with the final document submitted to HUD on December 30, 2016. 11